The last time these two teams met in the final was in 2008 when the Sharks beat the Bulls 14-9 at Loftus Versfeld.

Curwin Bosch of the Sharks and Morné Steyn of the Bulls have been in outstanding form with the boot this season, and either could prove to be the match-winner for their respective teams.

Sharks coach, Sean Everitt, said that they don’t want to get the Bulls any scoring opportunities.

“As finals are, we are going to have a look at discipline. Discipline will be key.

“As we know, the ball flies a lot further in Pretoria and giving away penalties in the wrong areas of the field is going to cost you a three-pointer or an opportunity to the opposition to maul this. Mauling is what the Bulls are really good at.

“Discipline is key and then it obviously also comes down to error-rate.”

Everitt added that whether they win or lose on Saturday they regard the season as a success.

“It has definitely been a success. We came together as a new coaching staff and got a new squad of players together. As I said, we have five 21-year-olds playing in the final on Saturday. So, we have brought youngsters through and have grown our squad. We have rotated our squad and created depth.

“The pressures effected by Covid-19 have enabled us to use the majority of our squad in games and those players have come through with flying colours.

“At the end of the day, you have to look at rugby as a whole. You have to look at the culture we have created and the diversity that’s been created in our group. We have also been unbeaten at home and have faced massive challenges, but have come through them unscathed.

“Here we are sitting at the peak of South African rugby, representing the Sharks in a final. That’s a massive privilege and a reward to everyone involved.

“Win or lose on Saturday, the Sharks have been successful in my eyes. That’s what counts. It’s not only about winning one game of rugby.”

Saturday afternoon’s final in Pretoria kicks off at 15:00.

Bulls - David Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.

Replacements - 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jan Uys, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson 5 Ruben van Heerden,  4 JJ van Mescht, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements - 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Manie Libbok.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport